The Road to (Outer) Nowhere (Space)

Chapter 16: Setting Forth

Jack woke up suddenly, his mouth was dry, his body extremely sore. He could smell the stench of his own breath. The hangover was destroying his skull. He had a hot water shower just before going for breakfast. After the light meal he checked out of the hotel. Before heading north, he decided to buy some appropriate clothes for the weather ahead. He drove to Chestnut Hill Mall to buy some extreme cold gear. He was stunned by the way the decorations and ambiance of malls changed in such little time. It was as if he was compelled to enter every store and buy half of the products. Big letters stuck on the windows said it was sales season. We just ignored them the best he could and walked into the sports store. After 45 minutes he had everything he needed. Left the mall and stopped at a gas station to fill the car.
Twenty four hours went by, and he had to stop to rest. He laid back inside the Camaro and dozed off for some hours. The same irritating and repeating sound woke him up, it was the mobile phone. He answered the call:
- Yes?
- Hi Jack, I suppose you are still in the states!
- Well, yes, I had a little set back two days ago. I am just outside Vermont.
- Good, buy some hot clothes, we might have to get some cold.
- I've bought everything I needed to be in Canada.
- I'll be calling you as soon as you get here.
- Here?
- To Canada, I can't risk speaking over international calls.
- Who will you know I'm there?
- I will know!
And the call ended abruptly. Jack had some food, stepped outside to stretch his legs, and contemplated the beautiful view.

It was time to continue his journey. He started the engine, and pulled off onto the deserted but cold road. He rose the volume of the cd player:
Jack drove for hours on end on the lonely roads leading to the border. He was anxious to get to Canada and discover where his money was, and if John's little gadget would work. Another thought that was bothering him was the job that MeXico had arranged for them. His last stop before the border was in a little gas station. He walked in and asked for a cold coke. While calmly drinking his beverage he gazed through the magazines, one stroke his attention. It was UFO Today, and had a clear picture of his own crash site. Jack's eyes grew big. He picked up the magazine, browsed to the article and started reading. "... This crash site was quickly closed down by the CIA, and no one was allowed near it. The weird fact about this crash is the incident that happened at the nearest gas station, when a man never seen before around there walked into the bar. And if you add to this the heist that occurred in Calexico, something seems really wrong." Jack spoke to himself:
- This fucking government is so useless that even these UFO geeks can put two and two together, but all the intelligence agencies can't...
The bartender asked:
- Sorry sir, what was that?
- Nothing, just talking to myself. How much is this?
Jack pointed at the magazine and the coke! He paid and drove away from the gas station with the magazine in the back seat.
Dawn was breaking when he crossed the border. As soon as he was in Canada he pulled over. The small gadget Kopite had given him started blinking a green and blue light. Jack was quite nervous as he picked it up and said:
- Jack Mason!
The little gadget vibrated twice followed by a voice that started speaking to Jack.
- Ok, so you are in Canada. Your money is with a friend of mine. He lives in a very small town called Alma, it stands for soul in Portuguese, but I bet you knew that. So, Alma, just Northwest of Québec. Hope you’re not far. When you reach the spot, the coordinates on the other side of this gadget will turn off. Cheers Jack, take care, your friend John.
Jack felt melancholic as he heard his friend’s voice again, even though it was a recording. He picked up the gadget and turned it around. The coordinates were in fact there.
- So, let's go...